Snack World - May 2013 - (Page 56)

SNAXPO SymphonyIRI’s Sally Lyons Wyatt, presenting the Snack Food State of the Industry report, said data shows that while 55% of consumers are looking for value, 64% want healthy snacks, 55% want indulgent and 45% want snacks that can be eaten on-the-go. SFA Legal Counsel Martin J. Hahn updates SNAXPO attendees on the latest developments regarding the Food Safety Modernization Act and steps companies in the industry need to take to comply. Doug Meyer-Cuno, Carolina Ingredients, urges SFA members to participate in the 2013 SFA Snack School Oct. 13-15 at Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia. The chairman of SFA’s Snack School Planning Committee said a new format has been developed for this year’s Snack School, including a problem-solving roundtable intended to provide solutions to actual problems submitted by snack companies. 56 Snack World May 2013 ‘Vibrant’ Action at SNAXPO Business, education and networking activities highlight this year’s event. BY BOB GATTY W ith dollar sales up in many product categories, a generally optimistic snack food industry met in good order when it convened at SNAXPO 2013, the 76th annual exhibition and conference of the Snack Food Association (SFA) held March 16-19 at the Tampa Convention Center. More than 1,000 attendees participated in SNAXPO, including 117 exhibitors with 139 booths. Exhibitors were delighted with the contacts and sales leads they developed, and snack company executives found high value in their experience at the show. In addition, a curriculum of informative educational sessions provided insight into key business and governmental issues, and attendees were able to network during receptions and a closing golf tournament. A SNAXPO highlight included the induction of Bob Shearer, founder and former president and CEO of Shearer’s Foods, Inc., Massillon, OH, into SFA’s Circle of Honor. Mr. Shearer served as SFA chairman in 2005 and became the 22nd honoree of the association’s most prestigious award. “SFA is an amazing organization,” said Mr. Shearer in accepting his award. “Take it seriously.” SFA President and CEO Jim McCarthy called SNAXPO 2013 a great success. “I’m very excited www.sfa.org Educational programs with our turnout,” he said. “The covered the growing impact of action on the show floor has Hispanics on eating behavior, been vibrant, and we want to the Food Safety Modernization thank all of our exhibitors and Act and the snack industry, sponsors for making this posthe impact of government sible. Tampa was a great venue regulations, and an update on for SNAXPO.” key governmental issues and Robert Hebert, vice-president, steps to increase operational sales and marketing at CP Flexefficiency. The closing keynote ible Packaging, York, PA, also speaker was FOX News comcomplimented the organizers of mentator Tucker Carlson. the event. A day ahead of SNAXPO, SFA “The show has been very presented its 13th annual Latin good for us,” he said. “AttenAmerican snack trends program, dance was good, and there was conducted in Spanish and reviewa lot of focus on the packaging ing economic outlook, regulatory side around innovative and new matters and demographic trends packaging formats.” in the region and the US. AttendJim Frazier, senior vice-presiees were briefed about winning dent and general manager, Evans market loyalty from Hispanic Food Group Ltd., Chicago, said his team met with numerous cus- consumers and the flavors favored by these consumers. tomers as well as prospects, and SNAXPO next takes place March he was pleased to see many new 1-4, 2014, at the Omni Dallas and products, flavors and product inDallas Convention Center. sw novations during the show. On Monday, Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive and general manager, client insights, SymphonyIRI Group, presented the annual State of the Snack Food Industry report. She pointed out that despite increased concern regarding health and The 2013 SNAXPO exhibit ﬂoor was ofﬁcially opened by (from left) nutrition and about Jim McCarthy, SFA president and CEO; Mark Singleton, Rudolph their budgets, Americans are snacking more Foods Co., SFA second vice-chairman; Scott W. Smith, Shearer’s Foods, Inc., SFA 2012 chairman; Ross Long, Kliklok Woodman; and frequently than ever. 2013 SFA Chairman William (Chip) Mann II, Pretzels, Inc. http://www.sfa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snack World - May 2013

Snack World - May 2013